The Sun and New Zealand

The Sun and New Zealand

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
This task is about how the sun affects New Zealand. 

Question 1Change answer

While the Earth orbits the Sun, the Earth is also spinning on its axis.
a)  How long does it take for the Earth to complete one rotation on its axis?
b)  How long does it take for the Earth to orbit the Sun?

Question

diagram of the sun and the earth
 
New Zealand is located at point X on the map.  The Earth spins in a West to East direction.
Use the diagram to answer the following questions.
 
c) What time of day is it in New Zealand?

    • (A) In the evening, just after sunset

    • (B) Nearly midnight

    • (C) In the morning, just before sunrise

    • (D) Late morning, around 11:00 a.m.

    • (E) Approaching late afternoon, around 4:00 p.m.

Question 1Change answer

d) What season is it in New Zealand on the diagram?
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Communicating in science, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
astronomical systems, Earth's rotation, seasons, diagrams
Description of task: 
Students are asked four short questions that explore their understanding of the Earth's rotation, Earth's revolution, and seasons.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss
  • the conventions of diagrams and how they clarify the meaning for the reader.
  • the evidence provided in a diagram that can be used to make inferences.
  • the role that science knowledge plays in being able to interpret a graph/diagram.
 

 
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (05/1998)
a) 24 hours/a day moderate
b) 365 days/366 days/a year moderate
c) (C) In the morning, just before sunrise moderate
d) Summer difficult

 

Diagnostic and formative information: 
 

Common error

a)

19% gave the answer 1 year/365 days...

b)

16% gave the answer 1 day/24 hours.

c)

Option A chosen by 22% of students.

d)

Breakdown of answers:
Winter – chosen by 43% of students
Spring – 10%
Summer – 21%
Autumn – 17%
Other answer of no answer – 8%